• Once vehicles are stopped, it may uncover other more serious crimes, such as drunken driving or drug possession.

• Netting suspects wanted on arrest warrants.

• Maintaining a database that can be used to later determine if a vehicle has previously passed through a specific area.

HOW THEY WORK

• Two cameras are mounted atop a police vehicle.

• While the police vehicle is moving or stationary, the cameras photograph license plates on passing or parked cars.

• Cropped images of the license plates are enlarged on a computer screen inside the patrol vehicle and the device attempts to interpret the plate’s letters and numbers.

• The device then compares its plate readings to a database linked to the state’s DMV and Division of Criminal Justice Services. If the plate matches a known violation, the officer is alerted through a series of beeps.

• The officer first determines whether the reading matches the plate’s image, then tries to locate the vehicle in traffic.

• Further investigation may conclude that driver is responsible for violation, and an arrest may follow.